As businesses continue to move more of their operations to the cloud, the risks associated with cyber threats have also increased. In Azure, virtual machines (VMs) are a popular target for attackers seeking sensitive information, such as login credentials or other application data. Here are several steps that you can take to mitigate cyber risks in Azure VMs.
Understanding Threats:
The first step in mitigating cyber risks in Azure VMs is to understand the basic types of threats that these systems face. The most common types of threats include phishing attacks, password attacks, and malware attacks. Phishing attacks usually involve the use of fake emails or websites to collect sensitive information from users, whereas password attacks focus on guessing or cracking login credentials. Malware attacks usually involve the use of harmful software programs that can spy on, steal, or damage data stored in Azure.
Deploying Countermeasures:
Once you have a clear understanding of the threats, it’s time to deploy effective countermeasures. The following are five countermeasures that you can implement to mitigate the risks of cyber threats within your Azure VMs:
1. Apply security patches: One of the easiest ways to defend against known vulnerabilities is to apply security patches for your VMs. Vulnerabilities are often discovered after the VM has been deployed, so it’s essential to stay vigilant against new security threats by applying security patches as soon as they become available.
2. Use Antivirus software: Installing antivirus software can help to protect your VM against malware threats. Antivirus software can detect and remove malicious programs before they harm your Azure VM.
3. Implement Network Security Group (NSG): Network Security Group (NSG) can help to restrict traffic flow to your VM from specific IP addresses. They can help protect your VM from both insider and outsider threats.
4. Use Multi-Factor Authentication: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide more than just a password. It can include SMS, email, biometric or some other kind of authentication.
5. Encrypt data and use Virtual Network (VNet) with site-to-site VPN: Encryption provides powerful protection for data at rest and ensures that only authorized users can access it. Deploying VMs in Virtual Networks(VNet) with the site-to-site VPN provides secure connectivity between your Azure VMs and your on-premises resources.
Conclusion:
Azure VMs are a popular target for cybercriminals, and it’s essential to take steps to mitigate these risks. A robust security framework that includes the measures highlighted above, together with continuous monitoring, review, and reporting can help keep your Azure VMs safe from cyber risks. Protecting your applications, networks, and data against cyber risks is an ongoing process, so it’s essential to stay informed, vigilant and take proactive steps to ensure your security defenses are strong.